Sunday, April 14, 2013

The Joy of Living

A few days ago I was looking through old photo albums of my wonderful kids and I was overtaken by sadness at the lost of time. So much time has passed these beautiful children have grown from babies to children and I pondered where had the time gone. It has seemed in a blink of an eye that time has disappeared; forever gone. I wondered to myself did I really appreciate the time or was I always looking ahead never really present in the moment, never enjoy the time, never fully absorbing the moments of life. That is when I had a mini epiphany, realizing that I have spent so much time rushing through life I have not been enjoying it. I know I feel happy and blessed with all I have. I look at my wonderful husband and beautiful children and I know in my heart that I have all I need, but although I am incredibly happy I rush through life never savoring the moments, never soaking up the little thing. Life has been a whirlwind rushing past me leaving me spinning. Just then my husband came through door from the library and with a smiling face and sparkling blue eyes ever so pleased with himself and presented me with the book

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin http://www.happiness-project.com/. As I begun to read the book curled up with my fleece blanket another wonderful gift from my husband I filled with warmth and happiness and I realized this was the answer to my epiphany. So I decided to create my own project called The Joy of Living, I have changed the name of my project mostly due to the fact I feel incredibly happy most days but I don`t feel that I am enjoy living. Happiness is defined as a range of emotion from contentment to intense joy, I want intense joy. I believe there is so much more out of life I can get, I want to super-size life. Therefore the joy of living is going to be my project where I slow down and appreciate everyday moments causing a ripple effect turning my incredible happiness into intense joy!

The starting point for me is going to be the list of the Secrets of adulthood in the book The Happiness Project Gretchen Rubin list is:

The best reading is re-reading.

Outer order contributes to inner calm.

The opposite of a great truth is also true.

You manage what you measure.

By doing a little bit each day, you can get a lot accomplished.

People don’t notice your mistakes and flaws as much as you think.

It’s nice to have plenty of money.

Most decisions don’t require extensive research.

Try not to let yourself get too hungry.

Even if you think they’re fake, it’s nice to celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

If you can’t find something, clean up.

The days are long, but the years are short.

Someplace, keep an empty shelf.

Turning the computer on and off a few times often fixes a glitch.

It’s okay to ask for help.

You can choose what you do; you can’t choose what you LIKE to do.

Happiness doesn’t always make you feel happy.

What you do EVERY DAY matters more than what you do ONCE IN A WHILE.

You don’t have to be good at everything.

Soap and water removes most stains.

It’s important to be nice to EVERYONE.

You know as much as most people.

Over-the-counter medicines are very effective.

Eat better, eat less, exercise more.

What’s fun for other people may not be fun for you–and vice versa.

People actually prefer that you buy wedding gifts off their registry.

Houseplants and photo albums are a lot of trouble.

If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough.

No deposit, no return.

My secrets of adulthood are:

If your take your time you are much more likely to succeed

Always eat when you are hungry

Sleep when you are tired

You do not have to own everything you like

Clutter in your house leads to clutter in life

Do not google medical issues, it will not make you feel better

Laugh daily

People do not notice you as much as you think

Outer beauty is a lot of work

Magazines do not show real people

Nagging is like glass in your mouth

If your kids act in certain way that you do not like, look at yourself you most likely do the same thing

nurture is stronger than nature

Do not over schedule time off

Act like a child often

Humor is a good way to feel better

Being positive makes you happier

Read the Bible

This list of mine is going to be the foundation for my project. My goal of this project is to live a life of peace, simplicity, passion, laughter and fun, and reconnect with friends and family. The topics I plan to address in order to reach this goal are: purposeful passion, learning to play again, making time for friends, paying attention, enjoying the unpleasant, being serene and serendipitous, money and happiness, and patiently relaxing.

So far the lessons I have learned with the start of my project is to avoid frustration stop multi-tasking. Doing too much at once creates stress and then causes frustration which turns a calm, happy me into a mean mama and nobody likes a mean mama.

Next lesson I have learned is cleaning things that aren't dirty is a special kind of crazy. This lesson occurred to me while mopping the floor and I realized that I do not know the Queen so she most likely is not stopping by for tea (I know it`s shocking), I do not need a pristine house, nobody cares what my home looks like. Organized and tidy creates a relaxed environment, pristine is not necessary.

About Me

I am a nurse, wife, and a mother of 2 a boy and a girl. I love to be active with my family and have fun in all that I do. I believe everyone should dance in their underwear and act silly. I feel that no matter what life gives you if you can laugh you can get through the life curve balls.